Comments on Transparency: One Size Does Not Fit AllTypePad2010-02-09T14:48:06ZMitch Naufftshttp://pndblog.typepad.com/pndblog/tag:typepad.com,2003:http://pndblog.typepad.com/pndblog/2010/02/transparency-one-size-does-not-fit-all/comments/atom.xml/Bradford Smith commented on 'Transparency: One Size Does Not Fit All'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00e0099631d08833012877a9517c970c2010-02-16T15:57:52Z2010-02-16T15:57:52ZBradford SmithPhil: With the cost of digital media coming down so drastically, it has become easier and easier for foundations to...<p>Phil: With the cost of digital media coming down so drastically, it has become easier and easier for foundations to have an online presence so I suspect that we will see more and more websites in the very near future. Once online, it&#39;s a question of how much a foundation chooses to make publicly available apart from the 990-PF, which can already be found through the Foundation Center and others. </p>
<p>For most foundations this is an evolutionary process. I have seen family foundations in particular slowly build an online presence with more and more information as they gain in confidence and see how transparency may actually further their mission.</p>
<p>The variation in what foundations make available can also be seen as a source of creativity. In any sector, organizations and individuals tend to learn from their peers. We have already seen foundations decide to add to their online presence because of something another foundation is doing that they learned about through Glasspockets. </p>Phil Buchanan commented on 'Transparency: One Size Does Not Fit All'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00e0099631d088330120a88cf3b6970b2010-02-11T14:47:26Z2010-02-11T14:47:26ZPhil Buchananhttp://www.effectivephilanthropy.orgBrad: While I agree that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to transparency, I do think there are...<p>Brad: While I agree that one size doesn&#39;t fit all when it comes to transparency, I do think there are some basics that any foundation above a certain size threshold should be able to meet. That&#39;s why I like your Glasspockets initiative and why I am pleased CEP is a partner in this effort, as I wrote on the CEP blog last week: <a href="http://www.effectivephilanthropy.org/blog/2010/02/some-new-trousers-for-foundations-with-glass-pockets/." rel="nofollow">http://www.effectivephilanthropy.org/blog/2010/02/some-new-trousers-for-foundations-with-glass-pockets/.</a> </p>
<p>The fact is, there is tremendous variation in what even large foundations make available, as Bill McCalpin pointed out in an excellent Chronicle of Philanthropy opinion piece last fall: <a href="http://philanthropy.com/article/How-Much-Information-Should/56715/." rel="nofollow">http://philanthropy.com/article/How-Much-Information-Should/56715/.</a> </p>
<p>I don’t understand how any foundations can argue against the idea that they should be open and clear about what they are trying to achieve, how they seek to achieve it, and how they assess progress. As you point out, “choosing not to be transparent is an option whose days are numbered. If you have a public purpose, and foundations certainly do, the public wants to know: ‘What are you doing?’&quot;</p>
<p>Thanks for being a leader in this effort. <br />
</p>